Emma Quayle's Draft Review

All I can say is thank god Movember's almost over!

Some MFC highlights

Do you think Simon Buckley was a steal at 85?

I think Simon was definitely worth another shot. Thought they might have got him as a rookie, but then again why not just pick him and make sure you get him. The Pies look like they're going all out next year.

I am a Melb supporter and very disappointed in picks 11 and 18. We could have taken Talia and Black and built a very tall and strong spine for a decade, now we have a list full of 180-188 cm mids?

Your thoughts?

In my mind they have four of the best young tall fwds/backs in the country with Frawley/Garland in defence and Watts/Jurrah in the forward line. Fingers crossed Garland gets his foot right, he could be a real star. But I was a little surprised they didn't grab one more and add a bit more depth. They obviously really loved Gysberts as a player - Sydney were hot on him at No. 14 and the Demons clearly didn't want to miss him. So you should take confidence from that. I know one thing, in a few years you could have the best midfield in the competition by a long way. Plus Jack Trengove and Luke Tapscott are best mates... should make the settling-in process easier for both of them!

A few comments about the whole 'Luke Ball' saga

1. Ross Lyon, who up until the whole Ball saga began (starting with him not getting game time, being dropped and the obvious rift that ensued) seemed to have done an impressive job with the Saints now looks a little foolish. His attempt to assume the moral high ground before the draft yesterday by saying "We'll be judged by where he goes in the draft" not only backfired and ended up making him look completely stupid, but it was beside the point. StKilda's SOLE responsibility during the draft period is to get the best they can for each trade. They effectively thumbed their nose at pick 30, and ended up with ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. The fact he ended up going EXACTLY with the pick that Collingwood offered just makes it even more laughable, because there's no doubt that Lyon would have used the implied threat of him ending up anywhere (Melbourne etc) rather than the Pies if Ball went ahead and nominated for the draft as he did.

2. Paul "Mr Statesman" Roos can eat a huge serve of humble pie as well. After roundly criticising Collingwood for 'Not doing enough' to get Ball during draft week, (a stance taken solely to justify his position in the Jolly deal), he now looks silly too. Remember, this is the same Roos who waxed lyrical 6 years ago about how Collingwood have to understand that they must take less than they might expect when "A boy wants to return home" (in reference to the Nick Davis deal), yet took the complete opposite argument when dealing on Jolly. There is absolutely NO DOUBT that he trades on his status within the AFL to get what he wants, and he's done it to Collingwood TWICE now.... which leads me to.....

3. Collingwood actually getting Ball in the draft. I'm amazed that the Pies got him. It wasn't their drafting cleverness (its pretty obvious if you look at history that Collingwood have very little idea of how to get a draft deal done, lets face it). I think its more to do with Paul Connors influential (yet seemingly legal) tampering with the draft, successfully dissuading Essendon, Melbourne, Brisbane and other potential suitors.....

He's a great fit for the Pies. An in-an-under ball extractor who will take over from O'Bree as the main man in that role. He operates best in traffic, which there is plenty of during finals... Doesn't suprise me that he was one of StKilda's best during the hurly burly of the GF, when finesse and pretty football goes out the window, and every kick and handball is hard-earned. He's not only comfortably in the Pies best 22, but he's in the best 22 in ANY club, which makes him an elite player and a very valuable asset. He's only 25, a top-line bloke, solid citizen with no off-field downside, humble, a former no2 pick and club captain....

Your thoughts?

You've put some thought in there! I agree that Ball is an excellent get and would have at least another 5 years in him. I didn't think he was right for Melbourne given where their list is and was neither here nor there with the others. But I think Collingwood and St Kilda should have got that trade deal done - both of them really let him down in my opinion, it shouldn't have been that hard.

Max Gawn? How long will it take for him to get match fit and ready to go?

Give him a while, he only did his knee mid-year, but hopefully he'll get some decent footy into him in the second half of next year.

Do you think Melbourne can be a force in the future or will we be a key forward and defender short?

One more of each would be nice but they have stockpiled a massive amount of talent in the past 2 years. As you should, with so many early picks, it must be said!

Steph Martin is not a ruckman, and could end up being that "extra tall" fwd/back that we needed. The truth is our midfield needs heaps of work, and with Brock exit stage left, and Macca soon to follow (retirement) the dees did the right thing picking up mids in the draft.

Fitzpatrick could end up playing forward if he gets his body/game right.

Steph Martin is not a ruckman, and could end up being that "extra tall" fwd/back that we needed. The truth is our midfield needs heaps of work, and with Brock exit stage left, and Macca soon to follow (retirement) the dees did the right thing picking up mids in the draft.

Fitzpatrick could end up playing forward if he gets his body/game right.

Stef Martin has the makings of a very good ruckman if you combine his rucking ability and athleticism. Remember he is still learning the game - and the ruck position

Stef Martin has the makings of a very good ruckman if you combine his rucking ability and athleticism. Remember he is still learning the game - and the ruck position

I spoke to Lee Newton a couple of pre-seasons ago and he wanted Martin to be a ruckman. Got the distinct impression at that time that the dees were more interested in making him a foward or jack of all traders. He didn't seem particularly pleased about it.

I spoke to Lee Newton a couple of pre-seasons ago and he wanted Martin to be a ruckman. Got the distinct impression at that time that the dees were more interested in making him a foward or jack of all traders. He didn't seem particularly pleased about it.

According to Josh Mahoney, Martin is going to be developed as a Tall forward into the future to compliment Watts, with Jurrah and Bate to be the more versatile X-factor forwards.

He also noted that Maric, Jetta, Sylvia and Tapscott are should be goal-kicking midfielders/high half forwards. None he considered true full-time forwards.

He said Wona is very highly rated, but don't want to limit him to the small forward role. Hope he turns into a Davey type, playing everywhere.

Josh thinks we need an extra gun crumming forward, but that he didn't think there were any major deficiencies with our forward line.

Fitzpatrick will be developed as a tall forward.

He said that the only tall forward worthy of a first rounder was Butcher, and even he had deficiencies. The other tall forwards available- Black, Panos and Tahlia- were 192cm mobile type forwards in the mould of a Bate or a Dunn. None of them were true key forwards. Thus, none of them were really worthy of pick11, and they also wouldn't have filled any 'need' for the key forward.